BAILEY MATTHEWS: Worksop boy has audience in stitches at Pride of Britain Awards

Liam Norcliffe

It turns out that Worksop boy Bailey Matthews is not only very good at triathlons, he is also a comedian.

The eight-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, stole the show at the Pride of Britain Awards, aired last night on ITV at 8pm, as he owned the stage in front of a star-studded audience at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

Bailey Matthews 8 from Doncaster is congratulated by his Dad Jonathan after crossing the finish line to complete his first ever triathlon at Castle Howard on sat.

Host Carol Vorderman opened the show by saying: “This is the night when the selfless are acknowledged.”

The likes of David Beckham, World and Olympic long jumper Greg Rutherford, cyclist Victoria Pendleton, swimmer Rebecca Adlington and diver Tom Daley were all in attendance, but Bailey showed no nerves as he won the hearts of the stars and the million watching across the country.

The multi-talented youngster proudly marched on stage, took hold of the microphone and ordered the audience to: “Get seated now.”

Bailey Matthews 8 from Doncaster gets a kiss from his mother Julia after he crossed the finish line to complete his first ever triathlon at Castle Howard on sat.

His next line came straight from the top draw, as he innocently explained that he stayed up until late the night before because: “Mum was out drinking.”

And then Pendleton encouraged him to tell the audience what his catchphrase is, he bellowed: “Be more Bailey.”

Bailey was diagnosed with a form of cerebral palsy when he was 18-months-old, a neurological condition that affects movement and co-ordination.

He appeared on TV channels across the globe after he pushed away his walking aid to complete the Castle Howard triathlon in North Yorkshire in July.

Bailey Matthews and David Walliams

Hundreds cheered him across the line following the 100 metre swim, 4km bike ride and 1.3km run.

“I was determined to finish,” he told ITV.

Earlier this month he had been surprised by TV personality David Walliams on a sight-seeing trip to the Tower of London in which Walliams, who was dressed as a Queen’s guard, told him that he had been chosen for the award.

His dad Jonathan this week told the Guardian that it was a ‘fantastic’ and ‘humbling’ night.

After the presentation, Bailey met Beckham, who told him that his suit ‘was cool’.

“It is incredible, it is what the night is obviously all about,” Beckham said.